12 Bore Shotguns For Sale
A question about shotguns?
I was just wondering about how shotgun bores/ gauges work. I have been informed that 12 is the most common, used for the widest range of tasks, and is the easiest and most straighforward calibre to maintain and use as an all-rounder.
However I have seen 10 and 8's for sale that look, to my untrained eye, the same as 12's, but again I have been informed that these are larger bore and signifcantly more powerful than 12's. What would these larger calibres be used for- large game? Why are they not as popular?
Also do guns that are 10 or 8 have a lesser effective range than a 12, and what is the recoil like in comparison? I rarely see a double-barrelled 8- why?
Thanks!
The gauge number is determined by the number of solid spheres of a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the barrel that could be made from a pound of lead. By far the most common gauges are 12 and 20. Next most common are .410, 16 and 28 gauge shotguns.
You are correct that the 12 gauge is the most common and used for the widest range of tasks. I have taken squirrel, rabbit, dove, ducks, geese, alligators, hogs and deer with a 12 gauge by using different shot sizes and slugs. They are also excellent for home defense and skeet shooting. If the recoil is to much (which I doubt) you can add a recoil pad to the gun.
The 10 gauge has traditionally been a goose and turkey hunting gun. The difference between 12 gauges and 10 gauges is the diameter of the shell, the recoil, and the difficulty finding shells. The 10 gauge has a wider shell and more gun powder which results in more recoil. Also a significant concern is the fact that 10 gauge shells are more difficult to find and more expensive than 12 gauge shells.
Regarding the 8 gauge, I have never actually seen one. However, they are larger in diameter than the 10 gauge, resulting in more powder, more recoil and more difficulties finding and affording shells.
To be honest, the 8 and 10 gauges are overkill for most game. While the 28, 16, and .410 are not quite powerful enough to kill everything on the list I mentioned. The 12 gauge falls right in the middle. That is why the American sportsman began buying the 12 gauge in waves. Ammo makers also responded by offering more varieties of 12 gauge ammo. Mass production and competition made the ammunition more reasonable.
The effective range of all shotguns is affected more by the size of the shot used. All shotguns have almost the same effective range; the difference is the size of the lead pattern being moved through that range. That being said, because lower gauges generally have more powder, they would probably have a slight increased effective range.
I would suggest purchasing a 12 gauge shotgun that can shoot 3.5 inch shells with a screw in choke. This gun will kill anything that walks flies or swims on the continent if loaded with the proper size shot and fired by a marksman who has practiced with their gun.
Faces of Death - Shotgun, Magnum, 357 Magnum, 12 gauge Shotgun, TexasGunsforSale.com
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